420 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  31,  1895. 
As  might  be  expected,  Messrs.  Veitch’s  list  is  a  complete  and  ex¬ 
haustive  one,  which,  while  it  includes  all  the  recent  introductions, 
contains  many  old  favourites  which  have  won  honours  in  many  a  contest. 
As  in  other  cases,  complaints  are  made  of  the  detriments  caused  amongst 
the  early  buds  lay  the  tropical  sunshine  ;  though  any  shortcomings 
arising  from  this  cause  are  counterbalanced  by  the  general  excellence  of 
the  successional  flowers.  The  plants  themselves  speak  plainly  of  good 
culture,  being  sturdy  and  clothed  to  the  pots  with  green,  leathery  foliage, 
a  condition  aimed  at  by  all  Chrysanthemum  enthusiasts.  To  enumerate 
even  a  small  percentage  of  the  varieties  in  evidence  would  be  a  task  too 
great  for  the  space  at  command,  but  here  and  there  were  noted  several, 
some  well  known,  others  more  rare,  which  called  forth  ejaculations  of 
praise  and  were  consequently  dotted  down. 
Good  blooms  of  M.  Georges  Biron  claimed  attention  ;  it  is  of  light 
crimson  with  buff  reverse,  and  long,  flat,  and  slightly  drooping  florets  ; 
the  plants  run  about  3  feet  6  inches  in  height,  are  sturdy,  and  of  good 
habit.  Similar  in  character  were  examples  of  Mrs,  F.  James,  with  large 
blooms  of  orange  shaded  terra  cotta.  A  handsome  flower  of  extra  size 
and  substance  is  G.  C.  Schwabe,  of  bright  carmine  rose  with  gold  points 
to  the  florets.  Madame  Ad.  Moulin  is  a  striking  flower,  white  in 
colour  with  a  green  tinge,  and  of  large,  spreading,  and  drooping  habit. 
Another  bearing  the  same  surname  is  M.  Charles  Moulin,  a  large 
reflexed  bloom  of  good  depth  ;  the  habit  is  dwarf,  and  the  colour  a 
striking  combination  of  bronze  and  yellow.  William  Bolin  was  much 
admired  with  its  broad  petals,  which  recurve  to  a  handsome  specimen, 
while  the  colour  is  a  rich  rose  amaranth. 
Duchess  of  York  has  extra  large  flowers,  massive  and  graceful  in 
form,  and  of  a  soft  light  yellow  shade,  with  florets  long,  drooping  and 
elegantly  cut,  Mrs.  W.  J.  Godfrey  claimed  much  attention.  It  is  a 
seedling  from  Mrs.  Alpheus  Hardy,  of  the  same  form  and  habit,  but 
considerably  larger  ;  the  florets  are  of  great  width,  of  good  substance, 
incurving  and  decurving  in  an  elegant  manner,  Pallanza  is  very 
striking  at  Chelsea  with  its  refined  flowers  of  the  richest  golden  yellow. 
Dwarf,  sturdy  plants  of  Lady  Randolph  were  also  noticed,  the  large  and 
full  reflexed  flowers,  with  florets  amaranth  crimson  and  silvery  reverse, 
being  singularly  striking.  Col.  W.  B.  Smith  is  a  fine  variety  of  old  gold 
colour  with  a  shade  of  terra  cotta,  and  long  broad  florets  twisting  in  a 
distinct  manner  and  building  up  fine  incurved  flowers  of  excellent 
proportions.  Very  promising  looked  the  claret-crimson  blooms  of 
Thomas  H.  Dennis.  Eva  Knowles  is  well  worthy  of  mention,  having 
already  won  several  certificates ;  the  colour  is  reddish  apricot  with  | 
golden  reverse,  with  florets  long,  spreading,  and  slightly  reversed,  while 
the  habit,  as  seen  at  Messrs.  Veitch’s,  leaves  nothing  to  be  desired.  Miss 
Louise  de  Black  is  a  good  flower  of  rich  golden  yellow.  Commandant 
Blusset,  which  has  alieady  figured  conspicuously  this  season,  was  credit¬ 
ably  represented,  as  also  was  Louise,  a  rosy  blush  with  broad  incurved 
petals  and  full  flowers.  Amongst  others  no  longer  novelties,  but  worthy 
of  being  placed  wMth  the  best,  were  noticed  fine  examples  of  Louis 
Boehmer,  Edwin  Molyneux,  and  many  others,  together  with  excellent 
flowers  of  last  year’s  sensation.  Hairy  Wonder. 
Incurved  are  included  in  great  variety,  Charles  H.  Curtis,  a  fine  deep 
yellow  ;  Major  Bonnafron,  a  finely  formed  flower  of  the  same  colour  ; 
and  J.  Agate,  well  known  as  being  a  fine  bloom  of  pure  ivory  white,  being 
distinctly  conspicuous. 
It  would  be  an  easy  matter  to  go  on  discriminating  and  enumerating 
the  superb  examples  included  in  the  collection.  Sufficient,  however,  has  • 
been  said  to  show  that  Chrysanthemum  culture,  like  everything  else 
with  which  the  appellation  of  Veitch  is  connected,  is  done  well,  and 
the  present  display  is  sufficient  to  place  the  firm^  in  the  front  ranks  of 
growers  of  the  queen  of  the  autumn. 
Ryeceoft  Nueseey,  Lewisham. 
H.  J.  Jones — perhaps  no  name  is  better  known  in  connection  with 
the  Chrysanthemum,  and  any  visitor  to  the  nursery  of  this  accom¬ 
plished  grower  would  expect  to  see  something  out  of  the  ordinary,  for 
wherever  these  favourite  flowers  are  grown — and  indeed  where  are  they 
not? — it  may  be  taken  as  almost  a  foregone  conclusion  that  there  will  be 
included  varieties  which  owe  their  origin  to  the  Ryecroft  Nurseries.  To 
any  Chrysanthemum  enthusiast  a  chat  with  a  man  so  well  versed  in  their 
culture,  so  up  to  date  in  his  information,  and  so  interested  in  his  work,  is 
a  pleasure  only  to  be  surpassed  by  a  visit  to  the  field  of  his  labours. 
The  season  of  1895  has  on  the  whole  been  favourable  to  the  Chrysanthe¬ 
mum  grower,  and  the  Ryecroft  show  is  indeed  a  superb  one — in  point  of 
numbers  greater  than  any  of  its  predecessors,  while  for  quality  it  could 
not  be  readily  surpassed. 
For  those  who  have  not  visited  this  nursery  it  would  be  no  easy 
matter  to  comprehend  the  magnitude  of  the  collection,  and  it  is  equally 
as  difficult  to  describe  in  black  and  white  the  effect  and  variety  caused 
by  the  7000  plants  grown.  Three  large  houses  are  utilised  for  their  re¬ 
ception,  and  in  the  first  of  these  the  middle  and  sides  present  a  maze  of 
flowers,  while  a  winding  path  round  the  house  does  away  with  any  idea 
of  formality  that  might  arise  from  the  solid  bank  of  blooms.  In  the 
other  bouses  giants  of  many  feet  high  occupy  the  centres,  and  the  side 
stages  are  reserved  for  dwarf  and  decorative  plants.  Nomenclature  in  a 
collection  like  this  is  no  small  matter,  yet  there  is  no  confusion,  indeed 
Mr.  Jones  seems  to  know  them  all  by  sight,  and  the  general  rule  seems 
to  be  large  blooms  and  green  healthy  foliage  from  base  to  summit. 
Mr.  Jones’  idea  seems  to  be  to  keep  up  with  the  times,  in  some 
instances  be  appears  to  be  a  little  in  front  of  them,  as  several  varieties 
were  noticed  at  the  date  of  our  visit  which  are  as  yet  but  little  or  quite 
unknown  outside  the  precincts  of  Ryecroft  Nursery.  Amongst  these 
were  Emily  Silsbury,  a  grand  bloom,  coming  midway  between  Condor 
and  Thdrese  Rey,  being  pure  white,  large,  full,  and  of  superb  form,  and 
Mrs.  G.  Gower  with  blooms  of  crimson  and  gold,  light  and  elegant, 
large  and  full  in  the  centre.  Maggie  Shea  is  a  fine  seedling,  canary 
yellow  in  colour,  with  a  white  reverse,  while  the  bloom  is  large  and  of 
good  formation.  Mr.  W.  Wright  is  a  Ryecroft  seedling  with  long  droop¬ 
ing  petals  of  wine  red  inside,  with  a  buff  reverse.  Another  Ryecroft 
seedling  of  more  than  ordinary  merit  is  Mrs.  Cotesworthy  Bond,  an 
incurved  Japanese  with  large  flowers  and  medium  petals  of  the  purest 
white.  Another  good  flower  was  noticed  in  Lady  T.  Smith,  a  Japanese 
reflexed  ;  white,  slightly  flushed  with  rose.  Mrs.  Richards  is  a  fine  new 
white  seedling,  and  in  contrast  the  very  deep  yellow  Japanese,  Lago 
Maggiore  (see  fig.  66,  page  417),  attracted  attention.  Tendresse  and 
Le  Fringant,  both  new  French  seedlings,  the  latter  bright  crimson 
and  gold,  are  promising  well.  A  promising  hairy  flower,  by  name 
P.  Marieton,  claimed  attention  ;  it  is  of  a  deep  golden  chestnut  hue, 
very  distinct,  and  is  considered  by  Mr.  Jones  to  be  of  its  class  next  in 
order  to  the  now  well  known  Hairy  Wonder.  The  above  are  but  a 
few  of  the  many  seedlings  under  trial;  others  have  not  yet  flowered, 
and  doubtless  there  are  amongst  these  recent  introductions  some  that 
will  be  heard  more  about  later  on. 
Turning  from  the  new  to  those  that  have  undergone  severe  criticism 
during  last  and  previous  seasons,  many  of  which  came  out  of  the  ordeal 
with  a  certificate  or  some  other  honour.  Though  these  have  already  been 
heard  of  they  are  so  conspicuous  at  Ryecroft  that  to  see  and  not  mention 
them  would  be  far  from  fair.  First  amongst  the  Japanese  comes 
Duchess  of  York  with  its  large  massive  blooms  of  a  soft  light  yellow ; 
the  florets,  which  are  long  and  exquisitely  cut,  droop  and  build  up  a 
true  Japanese.  Amongst  others,  for  which  Mr.  Jones  is  directly 
responsible,  were  noticed  Lady  Randolph,  a  full  reflexed  flower  with 
florets  substantial,  and  of  a  fine  amaranth  crimson  colour  with  silvery 
reverse.  Mrs.  H.  T.  Drewett  is  a  most  handsome  flower,  creamy  white 
in  colour  ;  the  shape  is  reflexed,  and  florets  long  and  narrow.  No  variety 
is  more  conspicuous  in  the  Ryecroft  collection  than  that  grand  incurved 
Cbas.  H.  Curtis  ;  the  colour  is  rich  deep  yellow,  the  blooms  are  extra 
large,  well  incurved,  and  of  good  depth,  the  florets  being  slightly  pointed  ; 
it  ought  in  fact  to  have  a  place  in  every  collection.  Another  fine  yellow 
variety  of  true  Japanese  character  is  Pallanza,  a  most  striking  flower  of 
great  refinement.  Attention  was  directed  to  fine  flowers  of  Duchess  of 
Wellington,  also  a  pure  golden  yellow  with  very  long  drooping  florets, 
the  centre  incurving,  and  building  up  a  large  striking  flower. 
This  extensive  collection  includes  varieties  from  all  sources,  and 
amongst  the  transatlantic  introductions  were  noticed  A.  H.  Fewkes,  a 
rich  golden  yellow  of  the  E,  Molyneux  type,  with  broad  flat  petals  ; 
International  is  a  spreading  bloom  of  enormous  size,  and  straw  coloured 
in  hue  ;  Mrs.  E.  G.  Hill  has  a  fine,  slightly  incurving  flower,  white  in 
colour,  with  a  lavender  shade. 
The  continental  introductions  are  well  represented  by  M.  Joanny 
Molin,  a  fine  dark  crimson  bloom  of  high  merit ;  M.  Thomas  Hayllor,  a 
remarkable  flower  of  rich  deep  crimson,  with  silvery  reverse,  some  of 
the  petals  twist,  and  give  the  flower  of  a  two  coloured  variety  ;  Mens. 
Panckoucke,  which  was  much  admired  last  year  ;  and  Phoebus,  a  clear, 
pleasing  shade  of  yellow,  with  long,  broad,  and  incurving  petals. 
Among  the  incurved  varieties  new  introductions  are  much  more  rare, 
though  superb  flowers  of  many  already  known  were  conspicuous. 
These  included  D.  B.  Crane,  a  full,  deep  flower  of  rich  bronze  buff 
shaded  red,  with  inside  of  petals  light  crimson  ;  Mr.  James  Murray,  a 
large  globular  pink  flower  of  perfect  shape ;  and  Mrs.  W.  Peto,  a  fine 
golden  yellow  flower,  and  deep,  well  built  flower.  Space  forbids  the 
mention  of  others  of  merit  ;  suffice  to  say  that  the  collection  throughout 
is  of  high  order,  and  of  the  many  seedlings  on  trial  we  may  expect  to 
hear  more  as  the  season  advances. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM  SHOWS. 
HAVANT. — OCTOBEE  29th. 
The  twelfth  annual  autumn  exhibition  was  held  in  the  Town  Hall 
and  was  a  success.  To  this  society  belongs  the  credit  of  opening  the 
regular  autumn  exhibitions  of  Chrysanthemums,  and  if  this  is  a  fair 
representation  of  what  the  season  is  to  be  we  shall  look  ‘forward  to  a 
busy  one.  As  usual  the  cut  bloom  classes  were  the  best,  the  quality 
leaving  little  to  be  desired  in  that  direction.  The  arrangements  were 
perfect  under  the  able  leadership  of  Mr.  W.  E.  Tidy,  the  Honorary 
Secretary,  assisted  by  a  hardworking  Committee.  Fruit  was  well  shown, 
but  space  precludes  us  giving  details  of  the  classes. 
In  the  cut  bloom  department  the  principal  class  was  that  for  twenty- 
four  Japanese,  in  not  less  than  eighteen  varieties.  Mr.  Penford,  gardener 
to  Sir  F.  Fitzwygram,  Bart.,  M.P.,  Leigh  Park,  Havant,  was  ahead  of 
all  others  with  large  massive  examples  of  Mons.  Panckoucke,  Mrs.  W.  H. 
Lees,  W.  Seward,  Charles  Davis,  Edwin  Molyneux,  Madame  Ad.  Chatin, 
Viviand  Morel,  Col.  W.  B.  Smith,  Madame  Carnot  (magnificent),  and 
Sunflower,  amongst  others.  Mr.  Tidy,  manager  Brockhampton  Nursery, 
Havant,  was  a  grand  second  ;  and  Mr.  C.  Step'.oe.  gardener  to  G.  Gale, 
Esq.,  Horndean,  third.  For  eighteen  Japanese,  Mr.  Agate,  Havant,  was 
easily  first,  staging  blooms  remarkable  for  colour  and  freshness  ;  Mr. 
Woodfine,  gardener  to  Major  C.  P.  Boyd,  Emsworth  House,  Emsworth, 
being  a  good  second.  In  the  class  for  twelve  Japanese.  Mr.  Agate  was 
again  successffil  with  a  beautiful  collection.  Mr.  Penford  was  second 
with  smaller  blooms  ;  and  Mr.  Steptoe  third. 
Incurved  varieties  were  numerously  shown  for  this  early  date.  For 
twenty-four,  in  not  less  than  eighteen  varieties,  Mr.  Penford  was  first 
with  medium  sized,  neatly  finished  examples  of  Robert  Petfield,  Lord 
Alc^'ster,  Globe  d’Or,  C.  H.  Curtis,  Madame  Barrier,  Princess  of  Wales, 
